as in sustains
to hold up or serve as a foundation for
the central beliefs that underpin a free society
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Recent Examples of underpins
The episode made lots of people on Merseyside conclude FSG cared only about its asset, rather than the club’s place in the community that underpins their identity.
—
Simon Hughes, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
So complex was this undertaking that the project took seven years, launching in 1969 and missing its original plan to launch for the company’s centennial celebration in 1965 — coincidentally the year USM patented the ingenious ball joint that underpins its USM Haller modular furniture system.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Evolutionary biology shows that reciprocal exchange underpins survival.
—Scott Hutcheson, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Cooper underpins that search by pin-pointing the exact location of the pain that drives Springsteen’s artistry.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2025
This self-continuity is one of the things that underpins actual agency—and with it, the ability to form lasting commitments, maintain consistent values, and be held accountable.
—ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2025
Our deep relationship with fire — from cooking our food to heating our homes — underpins both our evolutionary successes and our current climate challenges.
—Peter Brannen, Big Think, 28 Aug. 2025
This underpins today’s emphasis on precision rather than blanket hormone endorsements.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
The Cherokee uses the new STLA Large architecture, which also underpins the Jeep Wagoneer S, Dodge Charger and Charger Daytona, and the upcoming Recon electric SUV.
—Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Simon Hughes, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
So complex was this undertaking that the project took seven years, launching in 1969 and missing its original plan to launch for the company’s centennial celebration in 1965 — coincidentally the year USM patented the ingenious ball joint that underpins its USM Haller modular furniture system.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Evolutionary biology shows that reciprocal exchange underpins survival.
—Scott Hutcheson, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Cooper underpins that search by pin-pointing the exact location of the pain that drives Springsteen’s artistry.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2025
This self-continuity is one of the things that underpins actual agency—and with it, the ability to form lasting commitments, maintain consistent values, and be held accountable.
—ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2025
Our deep relationship with fire — from cooking our food to heating our homes — underpins both our evolutionary successes and our current climate challenges.
—Peter Brannen, Big Think, 28 Aug. 2025
This underpins today’s emphasis on precision rather than blanket hormone endorsements.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
The Cherokee uses the new STLA Large architecture, which also underpins the Jeep Wagoneer S, Dodge Charger and Charger Daytona, and the upcoming Recon electric SUV.
—Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underpins
Verb
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Executives who celebrate small successes, highlight early adopters, and reinforce the non-negotiable nature of change establish credibility that sustains engagement long after the launch window has closed.—
Rhett Power,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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At high elevations, cold air turns heavy monsoon precipitation into snowfall that sustains the ice.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This adaptability supports a variety of scientific and technological advancements, contributing to the future of space exploration.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Caracas denied the allegation, but it is widely believed that the Cartel de los Soles—the Cartel of the Suns—drug organization is led by the Venezuelan armed forces and controls or at least supports Tren de Aragua.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Authorities identified Tyler Robinson as Charlie Kirk‘s alleged assassin and charged him with murder, which carries the possibility of the death penalty.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Repole’s cautionary advice carries significant weight given his impressive business track record.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Combined with Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina’s score, this soundscape bolsters the fights and emotional flashbacks alike with no degree of subtlety.—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
10 Sep. 2025
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The researchers’ conclusion about the importance of Zone 0 clearing bolsters the foundation for the new regulation mandating the five-foot clearance in areas of very high fire hazard, experts said.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This upholds a May ruling from the Court of International Trade, but the decision will not go into effect until October 14.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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The Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA upholds the right of a certified player agent to negotiate on behalf of his client.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underpins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underpins. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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